It was his first home since Aug. 6, 2011, a string of 263 at-bats. It gave the Mets a 2-0 lead.

“It felt good,” Turner said. “I’ve been struggling with balls on the inner half (of the plate) all season. It was nice to finally get the barrel out and square up.”

Turner, who has played sparingly this season after a breakout season a year ago, had just 12 at-bats in the last 10 games. A versatile performer who can play every position on the infield, he played first base today because the Mets were facing left-hander Fernando Abad.

He was hitting .279 with 16 RBI in 136 at-bats.

“I don’t like to make excuses for not having success,” Turner said. “I just take it day-by-day.”

Manager Terry Collins has rested Daniel Murphy the past two days with the express purpose of getting Turner in the lineup. He has hinted at trying him in the outfield next season.

"The guy came up last year when nobody expected anything," Collins said. "As a matter of fact, we weren’t sure how long he was going to be here and he was the key to our lineup for the rest of the season.

"We know he can handle the bat. He has just been in a tough spot this year. He was hurt and when he came back everybody was hitting. But I have all the confidence in the world in Justin Turner."